3 Solutions for the Correct Disposal of Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed disposal requires great care and attention. Under UK Law, Japanese knotweed is legally classed as a controlled plant under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 section 114 (2) (WCA 1981). It is not illegal for you to have Japanese knotweed on your land, but it is against UK law to cause or allow the plant to spread in the wild. You can be prosecuted or given a community protection notice for causing a nuisance if you allow it to spread from your land onto anyone else’s property. For many, disposing of Japanese knotweed becomes the sensible option. That’s why caution, planning, and procedure for disposing of Japanese knotweed should be agreed upon.

Unless you have the skills, resources, and experience, you should not attempt to dispose of Japanese knotweed yourself. Hiring specialists to stop Japanese knotweed from spreading and assisting in its disposal is the best choice, especially to ensure all conditions of RPS 178 are met. If you are aware of Japanese knotweed growing on your premises, and you want to tackle it before it causes potential building damage or spreads further, you should liaise with a specialist first and foremost. Below, we offer guidance on what to expect and how the correct disposal of Japanese knotweed should work.

1. Professional Disposal of Japanese Knotweed

Attempting to dispose of Japanese knotweed yourself could be costly. Without proper care or attention to invasive weed removal, and even failure to clean vehicles that Japanese knotweed has been transported in, can result in regrowth and further spreading. There are strict guidelines for the disposal of Japanese knotweed that must be adhered to. This includes trapping the plant completely so debris is contained, and also appropriate soil disposal.

DIY disposal attempts will fail more times than succeed. Not only can the rhizomes (root network) grow at an alarming rate by up to 10cm a day, but a meagre 0.2g of root left in the ground can enable the plant to regrow. Locating the plants, roots and sprouts must be a meticulous task as well as an urgent one.

As a land or homeowner, you are liable for any Japanese knotweed growing on your property. If Japanese knotweed is allowed to spread to the wild or neighbouring properties, you can be prosecuted for it, receiving a possible fine of up to £5,000 or 2 years imprisonment. Ultimately, it makes the safe removal and disposal of this fast-growing plant more important. Specialists will have a strategy in place that specifically targets your premises and finds solutions for invasive weed removal.

Pros	Cons
Specialists will be able to offer expert opinion and advice to remove Japanese knotweed from your premises	Some of the treatments can impact building timescales
Permits, licences and appropriate handling is guaranteed, ensuring professional disposal is safely carried out	Not all treatments will be possible depending on the level of invasion and ground area

2. Excavating and Disposing of Japanese Knotweed

Excavation offers a great solution for wide-scale Japanese knotweed that has been located in various areas around building sites or properties. From digging and dumping to on-site burial, methods are normally determined by numerous factors, such as timescale and any nearby environmental concerns. Efforts to dispose of Japanese knotweed by excavation take careful planning and consideration. Specialists hired to dispose of the invasive weed have a duty of care to you and the property to find the best solution.

Dig and Dump

For this method to be used, a disposal audit must be present and waste must be disposed of by a licensed carrier. As Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant, it is deemed as controlled waste which means it can impact and affect various environments if handled incorrectly. As well as posing threats to infrastructure, such as drainage systems and tarmac, the plant can also cause vegetation displacement and even facilitate flooding. Specialists will identify Japanese knotweed and review the level of excavation required.

Pros	Cons
Controlled waste is disposed of by a licenced carrier	The level of excavation required is dependent on the level of contamination
Specialists identify the scale of infestation and can reduce the amount of clean soil that would otherwise be lost	Most expensive excavation service, but it is always a last resort

Dig and Cap

The dig and cap method is ideal for new housing developments and building sites as ground excavation is carried out. Specialists in Japanese knotweed disposal are able to identify rhizomes and remove some during the process. Afterwards, other parts of the Japanese knotweed are capped using a root membrane barrier.

Pros	Cons
Preventative treatment that is ideal for those on a budget	Japanese knotweed is still present on the premises and should be monitored
Contains the spread of Japanese knotweed to one area without spreading	Records must be kept and disclosed for property sales

On-Site Burial

Offered as another solution prior to construction or building work, on-site burial involves relocating Japanese knotweed and burying it elsewhere on-site. This method ensures full excavation of the plant, as well as all roots, are contained and moved. Alongside contaminated soil, it can be buried inside a heat-sealed plastic membrane that hinders growth and keeps the plant concealed.

Pros	Cons
Preventative treatment that is ideal for those on a budget	Ground can’t be disturbed after excavation and burial locations must be marked
Contains the spread of Japanese knotweed to one area without spreading	Potential delays for construction work to allow the excavation site to remain undisturbed

Dig and Sift

A technique typically used for larger sites, the soil is sifted to remove Japanese knotweed rhizomes. Any fragments of contaminated soil or roots are disposed of by being buried on-site. The method requires soil to be monitored, halting the growth of Japanese knotweed.

Pros	Cons
Reduces the volume of soil lost due to excavation	Can only be carried out on sites large enough to facilitate the burial of sifted soil
Thorough sifting and filtering remove any rhizome fragments	There is still a possibility that some fragments will remain meaning soil needs to be monitored

Dig and On-Site Relocation

The disposal of Japanese knotweed can be facilitated for larger development sites through excavation and on-site relocation. Land owners or developers can also apply for Land Remediation Tax Relief that promotes remediation and land development after it has been affected by Japanese knotweed. Once all contaminated soil and Japanese knotweed components are located, they are removed to a secure location for disposal. The burial site is then managed by a long-term herbicidal treatment.

Pros	Cons
Land Remediation Tax Relief can be applied for	Can’t be used for domestic properties as a solution
Ideal solution for phased housing or building development plans	An area for burial must be available on-site to contain and manage Japanese knotweed

3. Transferring and Disposing of Japanese Knotweed Off-Site

Due to grounds and landscape, it is not always possible to dispose of Japanese knotweed using on-site burials. For Japanese knotweed to be disposed of off-site, it must be sent to a permitted landfill site or incineration facility that can safely handle Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants.

As it is considered a hazardous material, Japanese knotweed can only be handled by licenced and registered carriers. The dangers of transporting such an invasive weed in a domestic car or trailer, for example, can lead to loose rhizomes falling out and contaminating any uninfected ground. Improper carrying can result in the spreading of Japanese knotweed, thus resulting in a potential prosecution.

Pros	Cons
Incineration and waste management facilities can properly dispose of Japanese knotweed	You must locate a permitted disposal site, which could be a significant distance from the premises
Disposal off-site, if all fragments are located and transported, can reduce the probability of Japanese knotweed growing back	Prior notice must be given and a licenced carrier must transport it if you are not permitted to carry it

What is the Best Way to Dispose of Japanese Knotweed?

Using professionals, such as Japanese Knotweed Specialists, is the best solution to dispose of Japanese knotweed in the long term. Not only can experts identify the problems and scale of disposal required, but they can ensure that the right method is used for you. From domestic properties to large-scale housing developments, specialists will have a tangible resolution for you. Dependent on circumstances, location and environment, Japanese knotweed disposal varies. Some of the most invasive treatments are often a last resort when untreated Japanese knotweed has been allowed to spread. Whilst these could be costly, they are an effective solution that can avoid even greater expenses later on. That’s why hiring specialists to conduct surveys and identify issues is the best solution.

Working with Japanese Knotweed Specialists can help solve funding, house or land sale issues. Our guarantees supply you with a treatment certificate that is required by mortgage companies to allow mortgaging. Some added benefits include a 5 or 10-year insurance-backed guarantee, equalling total peace of mind for you from the day treatment is started. You won’t need to fit into a certain type of criteria to benefit from this either, we offer this service for both residential homes and construction sites as part of a housing development project.

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Adam Brindle